Mezcal

Cráneo is an organic mezcal produced by 123 Spirits, the makers of the 123 Organic Tequila line. It exists outside the main line, acting as a sort of sister product to the tequila. And last week, I had the opportunity to taste it at their distribution center in Everett, Massachusetts.…read more →

This week, your pumpkin pie consumption is likely to increase about 600%. And that’s just counting the traditional variety of actual, edible pies. But let’s not discount the liquid kind. Because that, plus your proclivities for spiking everything in sight, can really come in handy this time of year. But…read more →

Gem & Bolt’s unique packaging is no accident. The female co-founders of this new mezcal brand are artists, and they’ve clearly left their mark on the bottle—and more. Gem & Bolt claims to be the first available mezcal made with damiana, a Mexican herb renowned for its healing properties and…read more →

Kimo Sabe Mezcal is a relatively new entrant to the market, first appearing in 2015 and then gaining some recognition this year for winning a gold medal and “Best of Class International Specialty Spirit” from the American Distilling Institute. The brand is currently producing three expressions–joven, reposado and anejo–each from…read more →

Tres Papalote Mezcal is a new entrant to the category, and one that’s sporting a famous face behind the label: Cheech Marin. The actor and comedian best known as one half of the Cheech and Chong duo serves as brand ambassador for the new mezcal. The spirit itself is distilled…read more →

Mezcal Amarás is a new-to-the-United States mezcal that was just recently introduced by Anchor Distilling Company. It’s a collaborative effort, handcrafted by five master mezcaleros in the village of San Juan del Río in Oaxaca, Mexico. Mezcal Amarás is made from Espadín agave plants grown on the hills surrounding San…read more →

Ilegal Mezcal is a small batch mezcal hailing from the Oaxaca region of Mexico. While the spirit is very much legal, the name is a tribute to the brand’s illicit beginnings. Brand owner John Rexer, in a quest to find a quality mezcal for his bar in Guatemala, began smuggling…read more →

Sombra Mezcal is a bottle that’s been making the rounds at lots of bars over the past couple years. Introduced in 2009, this small-batch operator is produced in San Juan, a little Mexican village that’s stashed in the mountains 8,000 feet above sea level and just south of Oaxaca. The…read more →

Montelobos Mezcal is a new player in the market. It was first introduced in September, and has been hitting shelves ever since. Montelobos is helmed by agave expert Ivan Saldana, and was launched in partnership with Milagro. It’s being distributed by William Grant and Sons, which lends some weight to…read more →

Zignum is a new player in the mezcal market, having launched in the U.S. late last year. Offering a silver and reposado mezcal, Zignum is made from 100% green agave and claims to be a smooth spirit that’s easy to mix. The smoothness and general lack of smokiness comes from…read more →